Artemis II Crew Returns After Historic Lunar Flyby
The four astronauts of NASA's Artemis II mission successfully completed their historic lunar flyby and splashed down safely in the Pacific Ocean. The crew has begun sharing their experiences from the once-in-a-lifetime journey around the Moon, marking a significant milestone in human space exploration.
Latest Developments
The youngest man to walk on the moon reflects on U.S. space exploration
Charles Duke, a former NASA astronaut and Air Force officer, reflected on U.S. space exploration during an interview with "CBS Saturday Morning." Duke, who was the youngest person to walk on the moon during the 1972 Apollo 16 mission, shared his insights. His reflections come amid the recent Artemis II moon mission, providing a historical perspective on lunar exploration. This discussion connects past achievements in space travel with current efforts to return humans to the Moon.
America’s Next Moon Mission Depends on Elon Musk, for Better or Worse
NASA's Artemis lunar mission heavily relies on SpaceX, which has received nearly $15 billion from the agency, with contract values doubling at the inception of Artemis. This reliance has grown as NASA's unique contractors dropped by 38 percent between 2021 and 2024. While SpaceX has lowered launch costs, a former NASA financial officer found it has not passed savings to NASA, charging more each year for services. The Trump administration's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) eliminated NASA's Office of Technology, Policy, and Strategy and caused a 20 percent workforce reduction, increasing reliance on contractors. An Inspector General report expressed concerns about SpaceX meeting moon lander deadlines, prompting NASA to explore options for accelerating development, including soliciting proposals from SpaceX and Blue Origin.
Artemis II astronaut describes "the most unique thing" he saw on the far side of the moon
An Artemis II astronaut described "the most unique thing" he saw while on the far side of the moon. This observation was shared during an interview with Tony Dokoupil, marking one of the crew's first public remarks since their return. The account offers a unique human perspective from a region of the moon not directly visible from Earth. This insight contributes to humanity's understanding of the lunar far side.
Artemis II astronauts detail 'intense' reentry in interview with ABC News' David Muir
The Artemis II astronauts detailed their "intense" reentry experience in an interview with ABC News' David Muir. This discussion occurred nearly a week after the crew completed their historic 10-day journey to the moon and back. The interview with ABC's "World News Tonight" anchor provided insight into a critical phase of their mission. Their firsthand accounts offer valuable data and perspectives for future lunar missions and space exploration.
Artemis II astronauts describe readjusting to life on Earth
The Artemis II astronauts held their first news conference on Thursday, discussing their readjustment to life on Earth after their historic mission. This event marks their initial public comments since returning from their journey around the far side of the moon. Their experiences provide crucial insights as NASA plans future lunar missions, including landing humans on the moon. Kristin Fisher, founder of Endless Void Studios and daughter of two former NASA astronauts, joined CBS News to discuss the astronauts' return.
Key Facts
The Artemis II crew successfully completed their historic lunar flyby mission.
Source: CBS News, ABC News
The four astronauts splashed down safely in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California.
Source: CBS News
The mission involved a journey around the far side of the moon.
Source: CBS News
The crew has begun speaking publicly about their once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Source: ABC News
Recent Highlights
Artemis II astronauts splash down in the Pacific Ocean after completing their lunar flyby.
The crew returns to Houston and begins to reflect on their historic mission.
News outlets cover the successful return and the significance of the mission for future space exploration.
Full Coverage (10 articles)
The youngest man to walk on the moon reflects on U.S. space exploration
Charles Duke, a former NASA astronaut and Air Force officer, reflected on U.S. space exploration during an interview with "CBS Saturday Morning." Duke, who was the youngest person to walk on the moon during the 1972 Apollo 16 mission, shared his insights. His reflections come amid the recent Artemis II moon mission, providing a historical perspective on lunar exploration. This discussion connects past achievements in space travel with current efforts to return humans to the Moon.
America’s Next Moon Mission Depends on Elon Musk, for Better or Worse
NASA's Artemis lunar mission heavily relies on SpaceX, which has received nearly $15 billion from the agency, with contract values doubling at the inception of Artemis. This reliance has grown as NASA's unique contractors dropped by 38 percent between 2021 and 2024. While SpaceX has lowered launch costs, a former NASA financial officer found it has not passed savings to NASA, charging more each year for services. The Trump administration's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) eliminated NASA's Office of Technology, Policy, and Strategy and caused a 20 percent workforce reduction, increasing reliance on contractors. An Inspector General report expressed concerns about SpaceX meeting moon lander deadlines, prompting NASA to explore options for accelerating development, including soliciting proposals from SpaceX and Blue Origin.
Artemis II astronaut describes "the most unique thing" he saw on the far side of the moon
An Artemis II astronaut described "the most unique thing" he saw while on the far side of the moon. This observation was shared during an interview with Tony Dokoupil, marking one of the crew's first public remarks since their return. The account offers a unique human perspective from a region of the moon not directly visible from Earth. This insight contributes to humanity's understanding of the lunar far side.
Artemis II astronauts detail 'intense' reentry in interview with ABC News' David Muir
The Artemis II astronauts detailed their "intense" reentry experience in an interview with ABC News' David Muir. This discussion occurred nearly a week after the crew completed their historic 10-day journey to the moon and back. The interview with ABC's "World News Tonight" anchor provided insight into a critical phase of their mission. Their firsthand accounts offer valuable data and perspectives for future lunar missions and space exploration.
Artemis II astronauts describe readjusting to life on Earth
The Artemis II astronauts held their first news conference on Thursday, discussing their readjustment to life on Earth after their historic mission. This event marks their initial public comments since returning from their journey around the far side of the moon. Their experiences provide crucial insights as NASA plans future lunar missions, including landing humans on the moon. Kristin Fisher, founder of Endless Void Studios and daughter of two former NASA astronauts, joined CBS News to discuss the astronauts' return.
Artemis II reentry image raises questions online about heat shield
Images of the Artemis II spacecraft's heat shield after its return from the moon have prompted online questions regarding its condition. The spacecraft, which completed a journey around the moon, successfully brought its crew back to Earth. Concerns about the heat shield's integrity upon reentry are being reported by Kris Van Cleave. This scrutiny is significant as the heat shield is critical for crew safety during the high-temperature re-entry phase of space missions.
WATCH: What’s next for Artemis II astronauts after historic splashdown?
The crew of Artemis II is now speaking publicly in Houston after their historic splashdown and return over the weekend. These astronauts are reflecting on their "once-in-a-lifetime journey" following the mission. Their return marks a significant milestone for the Artemis program, designed to send humans back to the Moon. The crew received a hero's welcome upon arriving back in Houston.
Artemis II crew speaks out after splashdown on Earth
The Artemis II crew has spoken out following their successful splashdown in the Pacific Ocean after a historic flight to the Moon. This marks the completion of their mission, which saw the crew travel around the Moon before returning to Earth. The successful return of the Artemis II mission represents a significant milestone in NASA's efforts to establish a long-term human presence on and around the Moon. CBS News' Mark Strassmann reported on the crew's reactions to their journey.
Artemis II astronauts reflect on historic mission around far side of the moon
The four astronauts from NASA's Artemis II mission splashed down off the coast of California on Friday after completing their historic lunar flyby. This mission marked a significant step in NASA's efforts to return humans to the Moon, circling the far side of the lunar body. The successful return allows the crew to reflect on their journey, providing valuable insights for future deep-space exploration. Their mission paves the way for subsequent Artemis missions, including a planned human landing on the Moon.
This week saw humanity at its worst. Artemis II told the opposite story | Flynn Coleman
Flynn Coleman, an international human rights lawyer and political scientist, reflects on the contrast between global turmoil and the aspirational message of the Artemis II mission. Coleman highlights that while Earth faces significant human suffering, the Artemis II crew received a message from Apollo astronaut Jim Lovell during their journey. This interaction, featuring a voice from space history, represents an act of continuity and care. The author questions whether humanity will choose to focus on its destructive tendencies or its capacity for unity and exploration. The piece suggests that space endeavors like Artemis II offer a counter-narrative to current global challenges.